Transformers 4: Who’s In and Who’s Out?

The release of “Transformers 4″ is still a little less than two years off, but that has not slowed the anticipation as to the storyline rumors that have circled around it. Megan Fox sat out “Transformers 3: Dark of the Moon,” and it has been reported that Shia LeBeouf will not reprise his role as Sam Witwicky in “T4.” These departures have left fans wondering whether or not the rest of the original cast, including Tyrese Gibson, will be returning for the fourth installment.

Gibson All Day

An actor, producer, model and R&B singer, Gibson has been very busy for a while. He is currently working on “Fast and Furious 6,” which is scheduled for release on May 24, 2013. Gibson is also working on another album and on the book “Manology” with Reverend Run, formerly of the 1980’s rap group Run DMC.

It seems like the performer himself is as in the dark as the fans of the films. “I don’t know,” Gibson said when asked in London if he will be back for the next film in the series. “Me and [Director] Michael Bay have been exchanging text messages and I hope it works out,” he said. It seems Gibson also wants to avoid what happened during the filming of “Fast 5” and “T3,” when he had to fly back-and-forth between Atlanta, Georgia and Puerto Rico almost daily to accommodate the filming of both movies.

Michael Bay, who initially indicated he would not return for a fourth “Transformers” movie, recently had a change of heart. Bay told the Huffington Post that he did not want someone else coming in and taking over what he started. Brian Goldner, the CEO of Hasbro (which owns the Transformers line of toys) said that disappointing toy sales after “T3” is the driving force behind the new movie having all new robot characters, along with many new human faces. Of course since there will be new characters, there will also be new storylines. But Bay has assured fans that their hero Optimus Prime will not be phased out, and Peter Cullen will reprise his voice.

All Together Now

Gibson felt a close camaraderie with all the former cast members, but believes the show must always go on despite the changing faces. “I started this…with Shia, Josh, Michael Bay and the team, and sometimes you lose a team member,” Gibson said in London. “For me not being part of ‘Transformers 4,’ if that’s what’s happening, it would really [mess] me up,” he said. Gibson commented that he was a big fan of Transformers toys during his childhood, noting the 1986 animated “Transformers: The Movie” as one of his favorite films of all-time.

No Pain, No Gain

Bay said “T4″ would “keep the history” of the previous three movies in place, while broadening the storyline and picking up where it left off in Chicago. Bay just finished shooting “Pain & Gain,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Mark Wahlberg. The relatively low-budget film has a scheduled release date of April 26, 2013. Bay’s focus is now solely on “T4,” and possibly reeling Gibson back in for one last dance.

post written by: Gigi Jones. Gigi is an indy filmmaker and fan of Kevin Smith’s low-budget production business model, Gigi writes film reviews for online film blogs when she’s not on a shoot.